Arthur Pendragon quotes from Merlin

[returning the horse to Arthur] Would you like me to fit the girth properly, sir?

Arthur

Thank you.

It's an honour to be of service to the prince.

Arthur

An honour, do you hear that Merlin?

Allow me the honour [begins to brush Arthur's clothes] of brushing your clothes down.

Arthur

[whispers, looking pointedly at Merlin] The honour!

Arthur

Why did you pull out? I was wide open, you could’ve unhorsed me!

Sir Leon

I was fearful that I might injure you, sire.

Arthur

You had the advantage, you can’t afford to hesitate!

Sir Leon

I wouldn’t’ve done if I were facing a different opponent. You are the future king, my lord.

Arthur

You jousted against me in the tournament last year, are you saying you let me win?

Sir Leon

[hesitates] No, my lord.

Arthur

[turns to the other knights, who shuffle uncomfortably] It doesn’t matter who I am! I do not expect any special treatment from you, from any of you! Is that understood?

Arthur

We’ve received reports that a beast has been sighted roaming the forest near the northern borders.

Uther

What’s the nature of this beast?

Arthur

Well, it is said to have the body of a lion, the wings of an eagle, and the… face of… a bear.

Arthur

I believe it has been conjured by sorcery.

Uther

Then we must destroy it.

Arthur

I’ll leave for the northern borders in the morning.

Uther

But you’ll miss the tournament!

Arthur

As much as I want to compete, my duty to Camelot comes first.

Uther

You’re right of course.

Arthur

I thought I told you to do that yesterday?

Merlin

I didn’t have time, I was cleaning your stables.

Arthur

That’s strange, because a little bird told me you were somewhere else.

Merlin

Mucking out the stables is strange and a talking bird isn’t?

Arthur

Merlin, what’ve we said about you trying to be funny?

Merlin

I shouldn't.

Arthur

This has to stop. The king would have your head if he found out. There’s no point denying it.

Merlin

Denying what?

Arthur

Your affections for the Lady Morgana.

Merlin

[laughs] Right.

Arthur

Take a bit of advice from someone who knows about women.

Merlin

If such a person existed, I would.

Arthur

Stick to girls who are more… how can I put it… on your level.

Merlin

Thanks.

Arthur

She can’t be your friend, let alone anything else.

Merlin

Yeah, I know.

Arthur

[pats him on the back] You can’t hide anything from me, Merlin. [walks away]

Merlin

[laughs, then becomes serious] Wouldn’t dream of it.

Morgana

How can you be so heartless? Gwen is the most kind, loyal person you would ever meet and she’s been more than a friend to all of us! And you would leave at the mercy of those animals!

Arthur

Morgana.

Morgana

Have you no shame? Do you think of no one but yourself?

Arthur

Morgana –

Morgana

I knew you were many things Arthur Pendragon, but I didn’t know you were a gutless coward!

Arthur

Morgana! Perhaps if you would stop shouting at me for one second, you would notice that I am packing.

Arthur

The ransom was supposed to be delivered to the Vale of Dinaria; if they’re holding Gwen anywhere, it has to be there. Which means we can save a day’s riding if we cut through the tunnels of Andor.

Merlin

Oh, no. I know that face, I’m not going to like this am I? What’s in the tunnels?

Arthur

They’re infested with Wilddeoren.

Merlin

What are Wilddeoren?

Arthur

They’re like giant – [gestures with hands, and then sees Merlin’s expression and brings his hands much closer together] – baby rats.

Merlin

Baby rats? They don’t sound so bad –

Arthur

They feast on human flesh.

Merlin

Maybe we should go over the mountains…

Arthur

I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have risked your life like that.

Merlin

Well. They do say love makes you do strange things…

Arthur

What are you talking about?

Merlin

Why can’t you just admit your feelings for Gwen? [Arthur starts to walk away] It’s so obvious! A blind man could see it! Is it really that hard to admit you like her? Just say it!

Arthur

I can’t. How can I admit that I think about her all the time? Or that I care about her more than anyone? How can I admit that I don’t know what I’ll do if any harm comes to her?

Merlin

Why can’t you?

Arthur

Because nothing can ever happen between us! To admit my feelings, knowing that… hurts too much.

Merlin

Look on the bright side: you’ve still got me!

Arthur

Is that supposed to cheer me up?

Merlin

Thought it might.

Arthur

You really are a complete idiot, aren’t you Merlin?

Merlin

(whispering) Arthur! Arthur!

Arthur

(jumps out of bed, grabbing a sword, unable to see the source of the voice) Who's there?!

Merlin

(pops his head out from under bed, grinning) Merlin!

Arthur

(jumps) Ahh!... (lowers sword) You're back.

Merlin

(still grinning) I never left!

Arthur

You mean to say..

Merlin

Yes!

Arthur

You've been under there, this whole time.

Merlin

(smile vanishes) No! Of course not, no!

Arthur

(points sword at him in a threatening manner) cause if you were...

Merlin

I wasn't, I swear!

Arthur

Merlin.

Merlin

(turns)

Arthur

I want you to know that, I never doubted you.

Merlin

(looks doubtful)

Arthur

Alright maybe I did, but it's your own fault. You've a suspicious air about you. Shifty. Like you've for something to hide...

Merlin

(look of innocence) I am an open book.

Arthur

I don't believe that for a second.

Uther

It cannot continue.

Arthur

I will hunt down those responsible, father; I promise they will not escape unpunished.

Uther

No. Stronger methods are called for. [pause] Send for the Witch Finder.

Gaius

Sire! Is it necessary to resort to such measures?

Uther

The Witch Finder is a trusted ally, Gaius – his help will be invaluable.

Gaius

Of course.

Do you smell it? Do you smell it, Uther?

Uther

Aredian.

It’s all around us, the foul stench of sorcery. It’s infected your great city like a contagion.

Uther

I welcome you to Camelot, Aredian. Thank you for making such haste to be here.

Well let’s hope I’m not too late, mm? For every hour counts in the war against sorcery. Unchecked, it spreads like a disease; seeks out the young and the old, the weak and the able, the fair and the foul of heart alike. You have grown lazy, Uther. You’ve grown idle. Your once noble Camelot is rotten to the core. You stand on the brink of dark oblivion.

Arthur

I am at your disposal, Aredian. The knights will aid you in any way they can.

You must be Arthur.

Arthur

I must be.

You’re a great warrior – the finest this kingdom has ever known.

Arthur

Thank you.

So you won’t be offended when I say that I shall have no need of you, or your knights. The subtle arts of sorcery can only be fought by yet subtler means, methods honed over decades of study. Methods known only to myself.

Gwen

Arthur! Arthur! Arthur, you’ve got to stop this!

Arthur

I can’t Gwen, you know I can’t.

Gwen

Merlin has proof that Gaius is innocent.

Arthur

My father’s already passed sentence, there’s nothing I can do.

Gwen

You can do the right thing, Arthur Pendragon! You can show some faith in a loyal friend or you can stand by and watch an innocent man die!

Arthur

Guinevere –

Gwen

You did it once before to my father; are you really willing to let it happen again? And you can stop looking at me like that, I know I’m only a servant – I thought you were a prince, so start behaving like one!

Merlin

Uther won’t forgive you if he finds out you’ve collaborated with a sorcerer.

Arthur

What if my father’s attitude to magic is wrong?

Merlin

You really think that?

Arthur

Perhaps it’s not as simple as he would have us believe. Morgause is a sorcerer, she’s caused us no harm. Surely not everyone who practices magic is evil?